A Very Premature Playoff Scenario

by JimmyJohnson on Oct 28, 2009 5:25 PM CDT Comment 42 comments

6 games into the season is way too early to start thinking playoffs. And you can never count on any team to beat any other team in this league (See Philly vs. Oakland). But, I was giving some thought to how we can reach the magic number of 10 wins. To me, the key will be beating the bad teams on our schedule. We've done a good job of that so far this season (though the KC game was too close for comfort). So, here is my scenario:

Assuming we beat Seattle, the Raiders, and Washington twice, that gets us to 8 wins. We need to win 2 of the remaining games to make the playoffs: Philly - twice Green Bay
Giants
San Diego
New Orleans

I think any of those 6 games are winnable (New Orleans is poised for a late-season fall). All we have to do is go 2-4 in those games. That makes beating the bad teams like Seattle an absolute must.
Thoughts?

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Too early for them to think about,

never too early for us to think about, SD doesn’t look elite, Giants have alot of work to do, if we stop the big play we should be able to beat Philly, NO we have to get pressure on Brees, GB same Rodgers is a very good QB and even when getting sacks he puts up good numbers, that game is more on our O than our D. As long as they play hard and play smart we can win and get in

"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards

by nicholas.rodriguez on Oct 28, 2009 5:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

good job

you just jinxed us!!!!!

by what_the_crap on Oct 28, 2009 5:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't Assume we Clean up the Easy Teams

case in point, the Rams game last season. We win that, the philly debacle would of been meaningless. That being said, I think we should beat those teams, and I think going 3-2 or 4-1 in our remaining division games is very possible.

by Spaceball on Oct 28, 2009 6:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We

by foyesboys on Oct 28, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we're also something like 19-2 against sub 500 teams with Romo starting

I made that up on the spot, but our record is awesome. Our only losses to losing teams with Romo came in 06 with detroit and 08 with washington i believe.

by foyesboys on Oct 28, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but you can’t even count division games in those types of things, they are a different animal

by sduncan24 on Oct 29, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I looked through the schedule since Romo became the starter

I know, kinda lame but you peaked my interest.

Since Romo became the starter the Cowboys are 14-2 against teams that finished the season below .500

by sduncan24 on Oct 29, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been thinking about this a lot

I think it takes 10-11 wins to get in this year. Why 11?

NO is a lock for 12 wins this year i think. Their remaining schedule is a joke.THey’ve run through most of the difficult games on their schedule already and they’re 7-0.

Look at atlanta’s schedule. 2 with NO, @ Giants and Jets, Home to Philly. home to Wash, @ Car, 2 with TB, home with Buffalo. In an absolute worst case scenario if they totally fall apart, they finish with 8 wins. Lets say they go 4-1 against the bad teams, 3-2 against the better ones, that puts them at 11 wins.

Minnesota – games against Detroit, Seattle, Carolina and they look so good I think every game for them is winnable. I’d be shocked if they ended under 10 wins.

GB – TB, SF, Detroit, Seattle. We probably have a must win game against them three weeks from now.

CHI – CLE, SF, STL, Detroit.

Basically, unless SF or Detroit take games from these teams, I bet one of them finishes with at least 10 wins.

Finally, in the division – no need to review schedules – noones played anyone. All the tough games are still to play. But if this division beats itself up, and say the top 3 go 4-2 in the division, with the tough remaining schedule, there may be no wildcard.

by foyesboys on Oct 28, 2009 6:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sold on Minnesota yet

fact is they are 6-1 but they could easily be 4-3. The 49ers game was a miracle catch that you can’t count on re-occuring. The Ravens game was shanked 40 something yard field goal that should have beet the Vikes. They are slowing down and Favre will begin a late season decline. The things they have are AP and a solid defense. If they shift to winning games with those 2 weapons, then I’ll be more concerned with them.
Our best chance for the playoffs is, nonetheless to take care of business and win the division. Its going to be between us and the Giants and the Giants are stumbling. The Eagles have no offensive consistency and are not real contenders for the division.
I want to win the division and be at least the 2 seed. My dream is to have the NFC Championship in the new stadium, and I still believe its possible. Wouldn’t it be nice to win the NFC Championship in the new building against the Giants to put 2007 to rest?

by Kansas Cowboy on Oct 28, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jets were 8-3 last year

They ended 9-7. I’m not sold on Minnesota either.

2009 Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
2009 New York Jets: 11-5?
2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks: 57-25

If someone could make for me and send to me a joint Cowboys/Jets avatar, I'd really appreciate it. :D

by Grady90 on Oct 29, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The absurdly premature playoff picture: Week 7

FWIW, Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner blog has The absurdly premature playoff picture: Week 7:

Dallas joins the Absurdly Premature Playoff Picture for the first time in ‘09. To be honest with you, I was close to throwing caution (and perhaps reason) to the wind and making them the NFC East champ, because I’m so down on the Giants and Eagles right now. Giants @ Eagles this Sunday is so interesting and so important for both teams. Do yourself a favor, Andy Reid, and let Donovan McNabb(notes) take a handful of snaps consecutively.

If we beat the Seahawks and the Eagles beat the Giants next week, we’ll be tied for 1st in the division. If we can beat the Eagles the following week, we’ll be atop the division. Not that improbable…

by scottmaui on Oct 28, 2009 7:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No way do I see us sweeping the Eagles

They’ve always given Romo fits.

2009 Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
2009 New York Jets: 11-5?
2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks: 57-25

If someone could make for me and send to me a joint Cowboys/Jets avatar, I'd really appreciate it. :D

by Grady90 on Oct 29, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could see it this year...late Jim Johnson is not longer DC

It was his complex blitzing schemes that gave our OL fits.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 29, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just FYI...

Philly is 2nd in the league in sacks (and that’s even including the fact that they already had their bye).

by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 29, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention...

12 picks and 6 fumble recoveries… totaling 18 takeaways.

I’d say McDermitt is finding ways to disrupt opposing offenses.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 29, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Impressive stats

But…the competition has been weak except for the Saints. How did the defense do in that game? 1 INT, 2 sacks

This weekend should give a clearer picture.

Are you ready for some football???

by APerfectStar on Oct 29, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

those are decent numbers against a good team

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Oct 29, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Downplay it all you want...

Fact is, the Eagles defense is playing really, really well so far.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 29, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Against lame teams

Not so much against the NO juggernaut.

Are you ready for some football???

by APerfectStar on Oct 29, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, they really didn't slow down the Saints

and who else did they play that had a good offense??

If they shut down Romo and the Boys in 2 weeks I’ll be impressed, until then I still think Philly will miss Johnson sooner or later.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 29, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has anyone slowed the Saints?

Not to start a big thing here, but the defense is playing really well. They just are. Not really much of an argument here.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 29, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

against bad offenses, I agree

My point is let them stop a good offense before you start saying they are as good as last years defense.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 29, 2009 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I hadn't thought to compare them to last year's D...

But now that you mention it, I’d say they’re pretty much the same.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 29, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

against worse competition

so I doubt you can say they’re the same yet, too premature IMO.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 30, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When Dallas plays the 'Skins

our sack total should get a big jump, too

Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character. - John Wooden

by BishopWest on Oct 29, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Way too early

But it will take at least 10 wins to get the WC, IMO

Outside of the remaining division games, that GB game is really important for Dallas to win.

Certainly not giving up hope that Dallas can win the division either. That is still a good possibility.

Are you ready for some football???

by APerfectStar on Oct 28, 2009 7:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Some lame team like the 'Skins could play their hearts out against us.

But, I doubt the Giants sweep us. No flippin’ way.

We should be able to frustrate San Diego like we did Carolina.

Noone expects anybody to beat the Saints, but it can and will be done.

The Philly games I say we split.

Does Green Bay ever beat us…recently…in the past 20 years?

Oakland—this team is too good on Thanksgiving to give one up to da Raiders.

Should still be on a roll this week against the Seachickens.

Wild Card, here we come!

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
http://twitter.com/BloggingTheBoys

by Aaron Novinger on Oct 29, 2009 5:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why wildcard?

Have you taken a glance at the remaining schedule for the Giants? I would not be suprised at all if they finish 8-8 or 9-7. We have a real shot at the division title with 10 or 11 wins, it won’t take 12 or more this year.

by sduncan24 on Oct 29, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just trying to remain humble.

I’m all for the divis, but wouldn’t mind missing out on the bye week unless we’ve got injured guys.

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
http://twitter.com/BloggingTheBoys

by Aaron Novinger on Oct 30, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My only thought on this is...

10 wins may not be enough this year, (heck New England didn’t get in with 11 wins last year). At 10 wins I could see Dallas in some very ugly multiple tie-breaker situations. I think it will take 11 this year to get in.

The 2009 Dallas Cowboys: Talk to me in December.
The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.

by gee-roj on Oct 29, 2009 7:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs